Rug-cleaning machine



M. MATHEWS.

RUG CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-24, 1920.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921. v

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1- INVENTOR MM. Jim/2014s WITNQ:

M. MATHEWS.

RUG CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.24. 1920.

1,370,335. Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M. MATHEWS.

RUG CLEANING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-24. I920.

1,370,335. Plum/6d 1, 1921,.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M. MATHEWS.

RUG CLEANING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED AUG-24, I920.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

ATTORNEY WITNBS:

M. MATHEWS.

RUGCLEANING MACHINE.

Ar rucmon man AUG-24. 1920.

- 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5. 5.5 54 g 61 j E56 Patented Mar. 1, 1921 Vl/[Ma VWITNBS:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUG-CLEANING MACHINE.

Application filed. August 24, 1920.

My present invention has reference to a.

means whereb floor rugs may be cleaned in an easy and e cient manner.

. The object of the invention is the production in a machine for thispurpose, of a yieldably supported slatted bed on which the rug rests,and the arrangement thereover of brush members that are movablelongitudinally from the rug for cleaning the same.

A further object is the provision, in a rug cleaning machine, of a frameincluding a receptacle in which may be arranged a cleaning fluid, andwhich has also arranged therein a resiliently supported slatted bed onwhich the rug to be cleaned rests, means b ing provided for clamping therug on the bed, while arranged for longitudinal move ment over the rugare endless belts carrying brush members which engage with the rug forcleaning the same, means being provided for regulating the pressure ofthe brushes against the rugs and means being provided for elevating thebrushes above the rug when the latter is to be positioned in or removedfrom the machine.

The foregoing, and other objects which will appear as the nature of theinvention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction,combination and operative arrangement of parts, such as is dis closed bythe drawings. The nature of the invention is such as to render the samesus- Fig. 2 is a similarview' looking toward the opposite side.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1, 1921.

Serial No. 405,595.

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating the man'- ner 1n which the brushsupporting frame is retained elevated when a rug is to be arranged inthe machine for cleaning.

F 6 is an end elevation.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, parts being in section, and illustratingmore clearly the manner in which the rug to be cleaned has one of itsends clamped on the base.

As disclosed by the drawin s, my improvement includes a substantia lyrectangular base 1. The base may be constructed of any desired materialand may receive therein a cleaning fluid, as will hereinafter be morefully apparent. The base, at what I will term the rear end thereof issupported on short legs 2, and on the front end by legs 8 that project asuitable distance above the base and that have their upper endsconnected by a cross piece 4:.

.,Arising from the sides of the base, adjacent to the rear thereof arespaced pairs of guide plates 5 whichare connected at their upper ends bya cross piece 6. Between the pairs of guide plates are the side members7 of a substantially U-shaped frame 8. The sides 7 may be tongued at theedges thereof and the confronting faces of the pairs of guide plates maybe grooved to receive the said tongues. The upper or connecting memberfor the frame is indicated by the numeral 9. Between the cross member 9of the U-sha'ped frame and the cross piece 6 of the guide plate 5 thereare adjusting means, broadly indicated by the numeral 10. These meansare preferably in the nature of threaded members which are secured. tothe member 9 and that pass through openings in the cross piece 6, thesaid threaded members being engaged by nuts 11 which contact with theouter face of the cross piece and thus hold the frame verticallyadjusted with respect to the base of the device.

Passing through bearing openings in the side members 7 of the frame is ashaft 12. On one of the ends of this shaft is a belt wheel 18 designedto have a belt therearound which is hitched to a suitable source ofpower (not shown). The opposite end of the shaft has keyed or otherwisesecured thereon a toothed wheel 14. Journaled in suitable bearingopenings in the side members 7 of the frame 8, below the shaft 12 is asecond shaft 15. This shaft has on its outer end a pinion 16 which is inmesh with the toothed wheel 14.

On the shaft 15, inwardof the side members of the frame are sprocketwheels 17. If desired these wheels may be toothed.

In the substantially rectangular base there is a bed comprisinglongitudinal members 18 connected bycross slats 19. The slats have theirupper faces rounded, and are preferably semi-circular in cross section.The longitudinal members, at the rear ends of the base are connected bya flat plate 20 which has secured on the upper face thereof clips 21that are designed to engage with therug when the same is arranged on;the bed to be cleaned. The frame constituting the bed is influenced inan upward direction inthe base by 'springs'22, which are preferablyarranged at the corners of the'bed in contact with the longitudinalmembers 18 thereof. .Thus it will be noted that the bed is yieldablysupported.

To the sides of the base 1, directly inward of the guide plates 5 thereis'pivoted, as at 23, the side members 2f of'thebrush supporting frame.The side members 24: have journaled therebetween, at approximatelythecenter and. adjacent to the upper edges thereof, a roller 25. Atthe-end of the brush supporting frame, opposite that provided with thepivots 23, there is j ournaled a transverse shaft on which there arekeyed sprocket wheels 26. Around these wheels and around Y 7 are brushes29.

the sprocket wheels 17 are trained endless sprocket chains 27 Arrangedtransversely of the brush frame, and secured to the opposed chains 27 ofthe head members 28 It will be apparent that when the main or driveshaft 12 is revolved, the toothed wheel 14: thereon meshing with thepinion 16 will revolve the shaft 15, causing the chains 27 to travellongitudinally of the device, and thus revolve the brushes over the bed.The front ends of the side members of the brush frame are connectedby ayoke 30 thathas a central finger portion 31 that passes through theopening 32 in the cross piece 4:. If desired, a springmay be arrangedbetween the finger and the-yoke to force the front end ofthe brushframe't0 ward the bed, such spring being indicated by the numeral 33. Onthe cross piece 4, above the finger is a bracket 34 having a sheavewheel 35 pivoted thereon, and secured to the finger andtrained aroundthe-sheave wheel is a cord or cable 36 that is directed toward the crosspiece 6 for the guidezplates 5. On the cross piece .6 there is a drum 37that has its shaft 38 journaled in a'suitable frame or support 39, andaroundthisdrum the end of the cable 36 is wound. The shaft for the drumhas an offset portion providing a crank handle 40 whereby the drum maybe turned, and the cable wound to elevate the forward end of'the frame..If desired,

suitable pawl means may be provided between the drum shaft and thesupport therefor, while on the ends of the brush frame I pivotallysecure supports 41, which, when swung angularly against the bed willhold the front end of the brush frame elevated so that a rug to becleaned may be arranged on the bed and engaged by the spring clips 21.

If desired, a cleaning fluid may be received in the tank-like body 1,and as the brushes are continuouslypassed over the rug which is arrangedon the bed, the said rug can becleaned in an easy, quick and thoroughlyeflicient manner.

Having thusdescribed the invention, what I claim, is:-

1. In a rug cleaning machine, a yieldably supported slatted bed on whicha rug to be cleaned is placed, means for clamping a rug thereon, apivotally supported frame thereabove, brushes mounted on endlesscarriers onthe frame, means for-swinging the frame to'bring thebrushesin contacting engagement withi-therug, and means for imparting motion 1to a the carriers for moving the brushes over the r rug.

2. In a rug cleaning machine, a. yieldably supported slatted bed'onwhich a rug tobe cleanedis placed, means for clamping a rug thereon, apivotally supported 1 frame thereabove, brushes mounted on endlesscarriers on the frame, means for swinging theframe tobring'the-"brushesin contacting engagement with. the rug, and'means for imparting motionto the carriers for moving the brushes over the rug, and means forcontrolling the frictional engagement of'the brushes with the rug.

3.-In arug'cleaning machine, a hollow base having S legs supporting thesame, a spring supportedslatted bed in? the base designed toreceive-arug'to be cleaned thereon, means for clampinga rug to" thebase, a vertically adjustable substantially U-shaped frame'moun-ted inguides on the base, shafts carried thereby, a'frame in the base pivotedadjacent to the "adjustable frame and including transverse rollers,endless belts trained aroundsaid 'rollers,'and the lowershaft'oftheadjustable frame, brush heads carrying. brushes secured tothe endless belts,

proper contacting engagement 1 on the base, guides arising from one endof v the base, a substantially U-shaped frame in the guides, means forvertically adjusting the frame, shafts carried thereby, interengagingmeans between the shafts whereby both of the shafts are turned inunison, means for imparting motion to one of the shafts, a frame in thebase, pivoted adjacent to the guides, rollers between the side membersof the frame, pulley wheels on the outer rollers, pulley wheels on thelower shaft of the adjustable frame, endless belts trained around thepulleys, brush heads carrying brushes secured to the belts, pivotedsupports on the brush frame, a spring in- 15 yoke for regulating thefrictional engage- 20 inent of the brushes with the rug.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

MORRIS MATHEWS.

